Michelle Payne Michelle Payne

In 2015 Michelle Payne became the first female jockey on Prince of Penzance to win the Melbourne Cup.

Immediately entering the hearts of every Australian in a post-race interview beamed live on television telling anyone who doubted her ability to "get stuffed".

"It's such a chauvinistic sport, a lot of the owners wanted to kick me off. Everyone else can get stuffed [who] think women aren't good enough,"

"I would like to thank all of the owners, John Richards specifically, I think he is the main man who kept me on Prince Of Penzance, maybe a few of them who wanted to take me off. We just won the Melbourne Cup so hopefully now they will be pretty happy with me.

"I would like to say that, you know, it's a very male-dominated sport and people think we are not strong enough and all of the rest of it ... you know what? It's not all about strength, there is so much more involved, getting the horse into a rhythm, getting the horse to try for you, it's being patient and I'm so glad to win Melbourne Cup and hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go. Because, I believe that we sort of don't get enough of a go and hopefully this will help."

Almost as recognised as Michelle is her brother Stevie, strapper of Prince of Penzance. Stephen Payne (Stevie) is one of the most dedicated strappers in the horse racing industry. He works as a strapper for his sister Michelle, his duties include grooming and tacking up horses for Michelle to ride.

Michelle J. Payne was born on 29 September 1985 in Victoria and grew up on a farm at Miners Rest (Ballarat).

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Australia Day Honours.

In 2019, Michelle Payne's victory was made into a feature film, Ride Like a Girl.

Michelle Payne is one of the most in demand corporate motivational speakers in Australia. Her speeches are founded on her integrity, courage, honesty and personal leadership. She is an inspiration to all who hear her.

Nottingham Farm
Based out of Ballarat, Nottingham Farm consists of day yards and boxes and is very much a New Zealand style set up. Horses need clean air and a tranquil environment in order to absorb the training is set down for each individual horse.

Michelle Payne - Life Story
Growing up on a farm at Miners Rest, near Ballarat in Central Victoria, Michelle is the youngest daughter of the ten children of Paddy and Mary Payne. Tragically, Michelle's mother Mary died in a motor vehicle accident when Michelle was only six months old, leaving Paddy to raise the children as a single father.

A racing family, a career in the saddle always beckoned for Michelle and she followed seven of her brothers and sisters when she rode in her first competitive race at the age of 15. Riding at Ballarat, Michelle saluted in her first race aboard Reigning - a horse trained by her father.

Michelle's career hasn't been without challenges. In March 2004 at the age of just 18, Michelle was pulling up her mount Vladivostok, having just finished 11th in the Torbek Handicap at Sandown. 100 metres past the winning post the horse fell suddenly, sending Michelle head first into the turf. The incident left Michelle with a fractured skull and bruising to her brain.

Michelle suffered two further serious falls in 2012 and in May 2016, just months after winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup, Michelle suffered yet another life threatening fall at Mildura. This time Michelle required pancreatic surgery and a long recovery, before yet another inspiring comeback to racing.

Michelle's affinity for horses has seen her ride over 700 winners, including five Group One's -

Toorak Handicap (2009) - Allez Wonder
Produce Stakes (2010) - Yosei
The Thousand Guineas (2010) - Yosei
Tattersall's Tiara (2011) - Yosei
Melbourne Cup (2015) - Prince of Penzance

In 2016, Michelle and her brother Stephen were given the honour of being named Queen and King of Moomba.

Source: michellejpayne.com.au

MICHELLE PAYNE | A fear of flaunting

FORMER Melbourne Cup winner MICHELLE PAYNE says the biggest challenge of her victory at Flemington was having to "flaunt" herself as a public figure.

"From the moment I stepped off Prince of Penzance (the 2015 Cupwinning horse that Payne rode), my life changed instantly. To think a threeminute race can change your life forever is phenomenal.

"To be recognised worldwide, and to have a movie and a book about myself is incredible. It changes everything. One race can change so much."

Payne said the biggest adjustment was living life in the spotlight.

"One of the biggest challenges of my life was adapting to a different world," she said.

"All of my life, before winning the Melbourne Cup, was training and dedicating myself to the sport, and being the best you can be.

"That means you aren't really a people person or flaunting yourself around.

"I was not prepared for any of it. I had to adapt to that quickly.

"Now I'm at a point where I'm enjoying it and making the most of opportunities that come my way."

These days, Payne says she's facing another set of challenges running her own horse training business.

"It's a lot harder than I expected," she said.

"I have a great team, and we've got some lovely horses we've worked hard to get, from Germany, New Zealand, and we're looking to buy a horse from France."

Payne said she's learning to run a team.

"As a jockey, you're a sole trader, you look after yourself, you have a manager, and you're focused on you," she said. "It's a little bit selfish.

"But as a trainer, you've got a whole team you have to support; your staff, the owners and you have a business to run."

Payne, now a successful trainer, is fast making a name for herself in the commentary box. On Tuesday she was an expert commentator for Channel 10.

She said it was exciting to see some big crowds return to Flemington after lockdowns: "It's been empty grandstands and empty lawns for two years, but it feels like the stars have aligned to let everything reopen."

Source: Herald Sun - A fear of flaunting
Tuesday, Nov 2, 2021

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❊ Web Links ❊

➼ Michelle Payne 

➼ www.michellejpayne.com.au

➼ www.wikipedia.org/Michelle_Payne

➼ twitter.com/mj_payne

➼ www.facebook.com/melbournecupwinner

❊ Also See.. ❊

➼ Ride Like a Girl

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